“I have been really happy and proud of the progressive steps the program has made in just six months,” notes Adams. “We have over 100 players in a weekly training Academy, we’ve had several players selected for training camps in Vancouver, we’ve taken the Academy to Vancouver for a Major League Soccer (MLS) weekend, and we will be sending teams to Vancouver next month for the upcoming Whitecaps FC Showcase.”

Last week, Kootenay players Parker Shaw-Lazier and Marco Falcone attended a Whitecaps FC Pre-Residency training combine that consisted of two training sessions per day and trial matches over a three-day period. The combine included 16 other players selected from the club's six other academy centres, as well as local Vancouver-based players. The Combine was led by Pre-Residency and Academy Centre head coach Bart Choufour, as well as U-16 Residency coach Rich Fagan and U-18 Residency coach Niall Thompson.

“Both players performed well and had a great experience playing alongside some of the best talent in Canada,” noted Adams.

Other upcoming opportunities will see selected players from the Kootenay Girls Prospects Academy being invited to train with Girls Elite head coach Jesse Symons in Vancouver. ”Whitecaps FC have made it a priority that both boys and girls from our Kootenay Academy Centre train in the club's Vancouver environment with our Residency and Girls Elite staff," added Adams. “As we continue to grow, we are pushing for more local opportunities for Kootenay players. Who knows, one day we may potentially see a player from this area become a full-time member of Whitecaps FC in Vancouver.”

In the past six months Adams has set up a Prospects Academy training group in Nelson, a Skills Academy training group in Cranbrook, and a school training program based out of the Fernie School Academy. Adams has also started working with the Castlegar Minor Soccer Association on some development programs.

A upcoming primary role of Adams will be working as the Nelson Youth Soccer Association (NYSA) technical director for this upcoming season. “The opportunity to work with such a proactive board and an eager group of coaches and players is fantastic," Adams explained. “It’s not my job to come in and take over, the board and the coaches have great ideas and have done a very good job for these local players. I will be here to add structure and advice as we aim to get all coaches working on the same page.

"Having already done three coaching clinics, it is clear that the coaches in the Kootenays are some of the most dedicated and enthusiastic individuals that I have ever had the pleasure to work with," added Adams. "It’s going to be a great season.”

The Whitecaps FC Kootenay Academy is currently holding evaluations for its Nelson Prospects sessions, and registration is open for the skills Academy in Cranbrook and School Academy in Fernie. Players from the ages of 10 to 18can get more information at whitecapsfc.com/youth/programs/academy/kootenay or contact Brett Adams at 250- 777-2173 or badams@whitecapsfc.com.